# The 6 Best AV Receivers on Amazon in 2026

> Best AV receiver in 2026: a 7.2-channel Onkyo with Atmos, a 5.2-channel Sony, an 8K Denon, a Denon with multi-room, a Sony for gaming and a 9.2 Onkyo.

Guide: https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/ · Updated 2026-10-02 · By TwelveTabs · Search it live: https://twelvetabs.com/?q=av%20receiver&guide=best-av-receivers

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases. Our picks are independently researched, written by TwelveTabs AI and never sponsored. Prices and ratings change often: see the guide for today's.

## The top picks

- **A 7.2-channel Atmos receiver for most home theaters:** Onkyo TX-NR6100 7.2-Channel AV Receiver. A 7.2-channel THX Certified Select receiver with 210 W per channel, 5.2.2-channel Dolby Atmos and DTS:X playback, three 8K HDMI 2.1 inputs and a discrete Zone 2.
- **A simple 5.2-channel receiver with virtual surround:** Sony STR-DH590 5.2-Channel AV Receiver. A 5.2-channel home theater receiver with 4K HDR pass-through, virtual front surround for a two-speaker setup, Bluetooth with standby wake-up, an FM tuner and a headphone jack.
- **A 5.2-channel receiver with 8K HDMI 2.1:** Denon AVR-S570BT 5.2-Channel AV Receiver. A 5.2-channel receiver at 70 W per channel with four 8K HDMI 2.1 inputs and eARC, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, VRR and QFT for gaming, Bluetooth and an on-screen setup assistant.
- **Multi-room streaming and 7.2 channels:** Denon AVR-X1700H 7.2-Channel AV Receiver. A 7.2-channel receiver at 80 W per channel with three dedicated 8K HDMI inputs, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, an on-screen quick setup guide and multi-room streaming over Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2.
- **Gaming and Sony's 360 Spatial Sound Mapping:** Sony STR-AN1000 7.2-Channel AV Receiver. A 7.2-channel receiver rated 165 W at 6 ohms with six HDMI inputs, 8K and 4K/120 support, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping.
- **Nine channels with Dirac Live room correction:** Onkyo TX-NR7100 9.2-Channel AV Receiver. A 9.2-channel THX Certified receiver with Dirac Live room correction, nine channels of processing with three HDMI outputs, Dolby Atmos, 4K/120 Hz gaming pass-through and Sonos Certified support.

Our top pick is the **[Onkyo TX-NR6100](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-1)**, a 7.2-channel THX Select receiver with Dolby Atmos and three 8K HDMI inputs. CNET also names it the best AV receiver overall. We read 44 Amazon result cards for "av receiver", compared 10 contenders on their own pages and kept six.

Then one pick for each other need. For a plain 5.2-channel setup, the **[Sony STR-DH590](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-2)**. For 8K HDMI at 5.2 channels, the **[Denon AVR-S570BT](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-3)**. For multi-room streaming, the **[Denon AVR-X1700H](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-4)**. For gaming, the **[Sony STR-AN1000](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-5)**. For nine channels and Dirac Live, the **[Onkyo TX-NR7100](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-6)**.

Here an AV receiver means a home theater receiver that takes your sources over HDMI, decodes surround sound and powers five or more speakers. Two-channel stereo receivers are left out.

## How to choose an AV receiver

CNET, What Hi-Fi and Tech Holics cover the basics.

- **Count the rear HDMI inputs.** CNET says rear-mounted inputs matter most, because that is where your streamer, Blu-ray player and console plug in. The [Sony STR-AN1000](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-5) lists six HDMI inputs, the [Denon AVR-S570BT](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-3) lists four, and the [Onkyo TX-NR6100](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-1) and the [Denon AVR-X1700H](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-4) list three.
- **Match the channels to your speakers.** Tech Holics explains that 5.1 or 5.2 is the standard surround layout, 7.1 or 7.2 adds two rear channels, and 9.2 adds height speakers. The [Sony STR-DH590](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-2) and the [Denon AVR-S570BT](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-3) are 5.2, the [Onkyo TX-NR6100](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-1), the [Denon AVR-X1700H](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-4) and the [Sony STR-AN1000](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-5) are 7.2, and the [Onkyo TX-NR7100](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-6) is 9.2.
- **Do not chase Atmos.** CNET says the effect of Dolby Atmos can be subtle or absent in most movies, and that mounting rear surround speakers high on the wall gets you halfway there. The [Sony STR-DH590](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-2) and the [Denon AVR-S570BT](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-3) name no Atmos in the listing text we read, and the other four list it.
- **Check the streaming.** CNET names Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay and Google Cast as the most universal standards, and says the Denon it tested adds AirPlay 2 and its own HEOS system for multi-room. The [Denon AVR-X1700H](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-4) lists multi-room streaming over Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2, and the [Onkyo TX-NR7100](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-6) lists Sonos Certified support.
- **Look at room correction and setup.** The [Onkyo TX-NR7100](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-6) lists Dirac Live, and the [Denon AVR-S570BT](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-3) and the [Denon AVR-X1700H](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-4) list an on-screen setup guide.

## Our picks in detail

### 1. Onkyo TX-NR6100: best 7.2-channel Atmos receiver for most home theaters

**Why it made the list**

- Its listing describes 210 W per channel with THX Certified Select amplification.
- It plays 5.2.2-channel Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, per the listing.
- Three 8K HDMI 2.1 inputs at 40 Gbps and a discrete Zone 2 are listed.
- Amazon's own summary lists sound quality and setup as positive and mentions its AccuEQ room calibration.
- CNET calls it the best AV receiver overall and notes it works with 4K/120 Hz signals from an Xbox Series X.

**Drawbacks**

- Amazon's own summary lists reliability as negative, with some saying units stopped working after 14 months.
- Compatibility is listed as mixed, with some reporting video blanking and issues with Sony TVs, and CNET found it not as dynamic with music.

**Skip it if** you want Dirac Live room correction. The [Onkyo TX-NR7100](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-6) lists it.

### 2. Sony STR-DH590: best simple 5.2-channel receiver with virtual surround

**Why it made the list**

- Its listing describes virtual front surround from a two-speaker setup.
- 4K pass-through with HDCP 2.2 is listed, along with Bluetooth that wakes the receiver from a phone.
- An FM tuner and a headphone jack are listed.
- Amazon's own summary lists sound quality, setup and functionality as positive.

**Drawbacks**

- Amazon's own summary lists durability as negative, with some saying units stopped working after 2.5 years.
- Connectivity is listed as mixed, and the listing text we read names no 8K and no Dolby Atmos.

**Skip it if** you want 8K HDMI. The [Denon AVR-S570BT](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-3) lists it.

### 3. Denon AVR-S570BT: best 5.2-channel receiver with 8K HDMI

**Why it made the list**

- Its listing describes four 8K HDMI 2.1 inputs with eARC, at 70 W per channel.
- It supports HDR10+, Dolby Vision, VRR and QFT for gaming, per the listing.
- An on-screen setup assistant and control from a smart TV remote or the Denon Remote App are listed.
- Amazon's own summary lists performance, setup and features as positive.

**Drawbacks**

- Amazon's own summary lists sound quality, reliability and Bluetooth compatibility as mixed, and volume control as negative.
- Critical reviews in the text we read say it must be set up through the TV and that HDMI connections failed, and the listing text we read names no Dolby Atmos.

**Watch for this:** Amazon's page for this one shows a style menu with only this model.

**Skip it if** you want seven channels. The [Denon AVR-X1700H](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-4) is 7.2.

### 4. Denon AVR-X1700H: best for multi-room streaming

**Why it made the list**

- Its listing describes multi-room, multi-source streaming over Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2.
- Three dedicated 8K HDMI inputs and 8K upscaling on all six inputs are listed, at 80 W per channel.
- Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Height Virtualization are listed.
- Amazon's own summary lists sound quality, setup and connectivity as positive.

**Drawbacks**

- Amazon's own summary lists reliability and features as mixed, with some saying it stopped working within a week.
- Signal quality is listed as mixed with several reporting HDMI problems, and one critical review in the text we read says settings are spread across many menus.

**Skip it if** you play games and want more HDMI inputs. The [Sony STR-AN1000](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-5) lists six.

### 5. Sony STR-AN1000: best for gaming and virtual surround

**Why it made the list**

- Its listing describes six HDMI inputs with 8K and 4K/120 support.
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding, Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping are listed.
- Amazon's own summary lists sound quality, setup and video quality as positive.
- CNET names it the best AV receiver for gaming and notes that it connects to Sonos.

**Drawbacks**

- Amazon's own summary lists reliability and compatibility as mixed, and some report issues with built-in Chromecast.
- CNET notes a poorly designed remote and a lower power rating than competitors.

**Skip it if** you want a higher listed power rating. The [Onkyo TX-NR6100](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-1) lists 210 W per channel.

### 6. Onkyo TX-NR7100: best for nine channels and Dirac Live

**Why it made the list**

- Its listing describes Dirac Live room correction, using a phone and the included wired mic.
- Nine channels of processing and three HDMI outputs are listed, at 8K and 4K over 40 Gbps.
- It works with Sonos Certified, per the listing, and supports 4K/120 Hz gaming with VRR.
- Amazon's own summary lists performance, sound quality and features as positive.

**Drawbacks**

- Amazon's own summary lists reliability, setup and connectivity as mixed.
- One critical review in the text we read describes a 120 V US unit sent to a UK buyer, so check the voltage for your country.

**Skip it if** you only have five or seven speakers. Nine channels need a bigger speaker setup, and the [Onkyo TX-NR6100](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-1) is 7.2.

## What we left out, and why

We read 44 result cards across two pages of "av receiver". Amazon shows 22 cards a page for this search, and 12 were sponsored, so we skipped them. From the 32 organic listings we chose 10 contenders by review count, one listing per model family, and read the Amazon page of each. We kept six. Four were left out:

- **Sony STR-DH190.** A two-channel stereo receiver with no surround decoding, so it is not an AV receiver by this guide's definition.
- **Yamaha R-S202BL.** A stereo receiver whose listing text we read names no HDMI input and no surround decoding.
- **Yamaha RX-V6A.** Its page showed no new buy-box offer, no price and no add-to-cart button, so a shopper cannot buy it new from the page we read.
- **Onkyo TX-RZ50.** It does the same job as the [Onkyo TX-NR7100](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-6), a 9.2-channel THX receiver with Dirac Live, and the listing text we read names only Dirac Live. CNET names it for power users.

## Questions people ask

### What is the best AV receiver?

For most home theaters, the [Onkyo TX-NR6100](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-1), which CNET also names best overall. For a smaller system, the [Sony STR-DH590](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-2) is a 5.2-channel option.

### How many channels does an AV receiver need?

Tech Holics says 5.2 covers standard surround, 7.2 adds two rear channels and 9.2 adds height channels for Dolby Atmos. Buy for the speakers you will actually install.

### Do you need Dolby Atmos?

CNET says its effect is subtle or absent in most movies, and that high-mounted rear surround speakers get you much of the way there. Two of our six, the [Sony STR-DH590](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-2) and the [Denon AVR-S570BT](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-3), name no Atmos in the listing text we read.

### Will an AV receiver bought in the US work abroad?

Check the voltage first. The [Sony STR-AN1000](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-5) lists a 120V power requirement, and one critical review of the [Onkyo TX-NR7100](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/#pick-6) describes a 120 V US unit that went to a UK buyer.

### How did TwelveTabs choose these AV receivers?

TwelveTabs, our AI shopping agent, compared Amazon's results for "av receiver", read the pages of 10 contenders and named six picks, as of October 2, 2026. We checked the advice against CNET, What Hi-Fi and Tech Holics. To see what it picks today, run the search yourself with the button on this page.

## How we researched

On October 2, 2026 we read the first two pages of Amazon's results for “av receiver”: 44 result cards, 32 distinct organic listings. AI compared them, read the Amazon pages of 10 contenders and named 6 picks. AI wrote this guide from that research.

Listings change: we read them on October 2, 2026, and a color, size or seller may differ today. Some listings cover more than one color or size under a single rating, so a rating describes the line and not the exact version shown. The Amazon text we kept for each product is cut short, so a feature that is not named here may still be on the full page.

### Sources

- [CNET: Best AV Receiver](https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/best-av-receiver/)
- [What Hi-Fi: Best AV receivers](https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/home-cinema/best-home-cinema-amplifiers)
- [Tech Holics: Best 9-Channel AV Receivers](https://thetechholics.com/audio/av-receivers/9-channel/)